One Papa by Sandra Summerfield

Description

Sandra’s favorite medium is spinifex, raffia and grass (tjanpi) from which she fashions intricate figurines and three dimensional sculptures representing the birds, reptiles and animals of her homeland. She is known for her detailed punu carvings created from locally sourced mulga wood. Sandra says she has been making punu and weaving for a  long time and loves the opportunity that collecting the raw materials used provides for her to go out bush.  From her local environment Sandra also sources native nuts and seeds from which she creates jewellery.

Sandra also enjoys painting, and her style is characterised by bold dotting and strong earthy colours to depict the topographic renderings of her country. Her symbolic representations of plants, animals and people invite us in to the canvas as her stories unfold before us. Women may be seen gathering traditional bush tucker such as wapiti (yam), puya (wild beans), quandong or witchetty grubs. Goannas and snakes lie coiled in the desert sun, protecting their young. These images in turn narrate important myths from her region.

Sandra Summerfield has lived at Titjikala for as long as she can remember. She has four children and eight grandchildren, and has been an active member of the Tapatjatjaka Art Centre.